Charity Commission Issues Warning to Slough Sikh Charity Over Governance Failures

The Charity Commission has issued an official warning to the Sikh charity Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Slough after discovering multiple failures to file its accounting information in a timely manner. Following a comprehensive review, the regulator concluded that the charity had significant governance weaknesses requiring immediate attention.

In December 2019, a regulatory compliance case was initiated after complaints surfaced regarding alleged political activities linked to the charity’s premises. The Charity Commission, an independent government body responsible for overseeing charities, engaged with representatives from Sri Guru Singh Sabha in April 2020 to understand the context surrounding the display of two boards referencing Khalistan.

Khalistan, while holding theological significance within Sikhism, also represents the aspiration for an independent Sikh state for some advocates. The investigation examined whether the boards at the gurdwara breached charity law and the Commission’s guidelines on political campaigning.

The regulator sought input from various stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, during its inquiry. This process revealed ongoing financial reporting issues, as the charity had repeatedly submitted its annual accounting documents late over five non-consecutive years: specifically, in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Joshua Farbridge, head of compliance visits and inspections at the Charity Commission, emphasized the duty of trustees to maintain financial transparency. He stated, “Trustees have a duty, in law, to file their accounting information on time and owe it to their beneficiaries and the public to be transparent and accountable.” The repeated failures to meet this obligation prompted the Commission to take action by issuing a formal warning, indicating a breach of the trustees’ legal duties.

In light of its findings, the Charity Commission issued a regulatory action plan to the trustees in December 2024. The plan outlined necessary improvements in governance and financial procedures, which included updating the charity’s governing document, implementing safeguarding policies such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks, and ensuring timely submissions of future accounts.

The charity has since responded positively to the action plan, and the Commission noted that many current trustees were not in positions during the periods of noncompliance. On March 4, 2024, the Commission formally issued the charity an Official Warning related to its financial reporting lapses.

After reviewing evidence from the charity, the Commission concluded that the displays featuring the word “Khalistan” did not promote the creation of an independent Sikh state and aligned with the charity’s religious objectives. This finding clarifies that such displays are acceptable under charity law, as they do not constitute a breach of regulations governing registered charities.

Farbridge remarked on the complexity of the case, stating, “This case involved a complex and sensitive matter regarding the display of ‘Khalistan boards’. It required time for us to thoroughly review a substantial amount of material and consult with experts and stakeholders.”

The Charity Commission’s findings aim to provide clarity for other religious charities, enabling them to honor significant aspects of their faith while remaining compliant with applicable laws. Sri Guru Singh Sabha has been approached for comment regarding the outcome of this case.